Connections from the camp of Kentucky Derby winner California Chrome were quick to dispel rumors that the Preakness Stakes favorite was becoming ill the morning of May 15 at Pimlico Race Course, in Baltimore, Maryland.

Alan Sherman, assistant to trainer Art Sherman, said California Chrome has a small blister in his throat, but bloodwork and a scope revealed it to be a minor issue with no further complications likely. The colt had the blister before the Kentucky Derby and it went away, but came back recently, he said.

"The horse is completely fine," Sherman reported. "His bloodwork came back perfect, he coughed about four times today and we got him checked out right away. The blister isn't going to affect him at all; the vet said there were absolutely no other problems, nothing else going on."

California Chrome is being treated with a glycerin throat wash to coat the irritated area.

A California-bred son of Lucky Pulpit who races for Steven Coburn and Perry Martin, the Kentucky Derby victor has won his past five races by a combined 26 lengths and is 3-5 on the morning line in a field of 10 for the May 17 Preakness.

About the Author

Winner of the 2011 Eclipse Award for Feature/Commentary and the 2008 Louisville Metro Journalism Award for Sports Writing, Claire Novak has melded her love for human-interest journalism and the equine breed into a successful Turf writing career. Since her first freelance article on racing was published at BloodHorse.com in 2005, her byline has appeared in the New York Times, ESPN The Magazine, and on ESPN.com, among others. She lives near Lexington and, when not writing about racing, can often be found jumping her Thoroughbred, Bob.

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